Lammey: College bowl prospects for the Broncos to watch – Week 1
Dec 12, 2017, 9:02 PM
The college bowl season is upon us, and there are several prospects the Denver Broncos should be scouting through this process.
The team has more than a few holes to fill on the roster, and there’s no better way to do that than the NFL Draft
Broncos general manager John Elway recently told DenverBroncos.com he was going to be on the scouting trail during bowl season.
“We’re going to go to a lot of different bowl games and see different players. We’ll hit the road a little bit for this month. In January, we’ll start getting busy on the personnel side and that’s trying to make this football team better,” Elway said.
“It’s an exciting time of year.”
Who are the players the Broncos should be interested in?
Let’s take a look at potential NFL players who will be participating in the bowl games the week of Dec. 10.
Dec. 16
Grambling State Tigers quarterback DeVante Kincade. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
Celebration Bowl
Grambling vs. North Carolina A&T
Grambling’s quarterback Devante Kincaid transferred from Ole Miss and is a fantastic athlete who may be asked to switch positions at the pro level.
Running back Martez Carter can stop on a dime, and he’s got the explosion to eat up yards quickly. Even though he’s a smaller back (5-foot-8, 205 pounds), Carter has no hesitation running between the tackles and can set up defenders with shakes, dips, and quicks.
North Carolina A&T has one player with pro prospects — offensive tackle Brandon Parker. He played left tackle for the Aggies, but Parker might be moved to the right side or inside at the pro level.
He’s big and athletic enough to pull as a run blocker. In pass protection, Parker is light on his feet and absorbs rushers without leaning to reach his opponent. At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Parker currently projects as a late-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
Troy Trojans running back Jordan Chunn. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Troy vs. North Texas
Troy running back Jordan Chunn set a school record by scoring 46 career touchdowns during his time with the Trojans.
He’s a big back, measuring in at 6 feet, 236 pounds, and has a no-nonsense style. He’s a straight-ahead runner who thrives on making, and breaking, contact.
He could be a priority free agent after the 2018 NFL draft for a team in need of a goal-line back.
Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
AutoNation Cure Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Georgia State
Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White could be a late-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
White has good accuracy on short and intermediate routes, and he isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit to make the right throw.
He does need to throw with better anticipation in order to make it as a pro quarterback.
Boise State wide receiver Cedrick Wilson. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Bowl
No. 25 Boise State vs. Oregon
Boise State wide receiver Cedrick Wilson currently has a mid-round grade for the 2018 NFL draft.
Measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds, Wilson has speed that gets him a lot of respect before the snap. Playing against off coverage, Wilson can eat cushion quickly and still get by cornerbacks prepared for his speed.
Wilson can snare passes above his head and is willing as a blocker. He has quick feet but needs to better execute routes as he often rounds out his cuts.
Oregon has several players that NFL scouts are monitoring, including running back Royce Freeman, offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby, cornerback Arrion Springs, and defensive tackles Henry Mondeaux and Scott Pagano.
Oregon running back Royce Freeman. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Freeman and Crosby are considered fourth-round picks at this time, Springs has a projected fifth-round grade, and Mondeaux and Pagano are currently seen as seventh-round picks or priority free agents.
Freeman is a big back (238 pounds) who gets to top speed in a hurry. He runs with good forward lean, doesn’t shy away from contact, and is more elusive than his size would indicate.
Crosby is huge (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) and has the athleticism to be what scouts call a “sticky blocker” at the second level of the defense. He’s strong and physical, but Crosby will need to clean up his technique against speed rushers to play up to his potential at the pro level.
Oregon offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby (73).(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Springs is comfortable playing press-man coverage. He has no problem getting physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage. Springs is adept at playing off coverage as well, and he has the recovery speed and length to make up ground if he bites on a double move or play/pump fake.
Pagano, a transfer from Clemson, has played in big games and made an impact. He is strong at the point of attack and will methodically move his man back upon impact. Pagano has a knack for batting passes at the line of scrimmage and will swallow up runners that try to get by him.
Mondeaux can play defensive tackle or defensive end. He has a good swim move to get by blockers, and he always seems to be around the ball. At 6-foot-3 and 284 pounds, Mondeaux has the burst to get around the edge from time to time as a run defender.
Marshall tight end Ryan Yurachek. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
GILDAN New Mexico Bowl
Marshall vs. Colorado State
Marshall tight end Ryan Yurachek could be a late-round pick or priority free agent for NFL teams in 2018.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Yurachek has some fight as a blocker, even though he’s not the biggest guy. He does a good job of looking passes into his hands and can make difficult grabs because of it.
In addition to playing in-line tight end or splitting out wide, Yurachek can contribute as an H-back out of the backfield.
Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup has the best pro prospects of any player in this contest.
He’s currently considered a third-round pick, but Gallup could see his stock rise through the pre-draft process.
Gallup can be moved around the formation and is frequently seen in motion to set up mismatches with defenders.
CSU wide receiver Michael Gallup. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Gallup plays larger than his size. He’s not afraid to get physical with cornerbacks through the route and can win jump passes thrown his way.
His strength also comes through with his tackle-breaking and run-after-the-catch abilities.
Running back Dalyn Dawkins could be a late-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Teams may project him as a change-of-pace back in the mold of Eli McGuire from the New York Jets.
Like Dawkins, center Jake Bennett has a late-round grade. CSU’s offense led the Mountain West with an average of 501 yards per game. The offensive line only gave up an average of .67 sacks per game, third-best in the nation.
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Richie James. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs. Arkansas State
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Richie James is considered a mid-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
A smaller player (5-foot-9, 179 pounds), James is feisty as a blocker and is willing to take on larger defenders. James has quick feet and can make defenders miss in the open field.
In addition to playing as a receiver or return man, James could also play wildcat quarterback if called upon.
Arkansas State defensive end Ja’Von Rolland-Jones. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Arkansas State’s Ja’Von Rolland-Jones is an outside linebacker who has scouts’ attention with a projectable grade in the fourth or fifth round.
Rolland-Jones has the length and hustle to get after the quarterback regularly. He diagnoses plays quickly and does a good job of finding the football.
Against the run, Rolland-Jones holds his own and will keep containment on the edge.
